Catheter adapter having retention notches

Abstract

A catheter adapter of the type wherein compression applied to the catheter provides a retention force thereon and wherein notches are provided on the adapter for wrapping the catheter around the adapter in a manner such that a force applied to the catheter does not constitute a catheter separating force.

We claim: 
     
       1. An improvement in an adapter of the type having an axially bored female housing portion with an internally threaded section, a bored externally threaded male housing portion having a conically tapered inner bore, a bored generally conically shaped resilient grommet disposed against the conically tapered inner bore of the male housing portion and adapted to be squeezed against the outer surface of the end of a catheter inserted into the adapter as the male body portion is threadedly tightened into said female body portion to provide a retention force thereon, and wherein the male body portion is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite radially disposed finger-engageable wing members which serve as an aid in tightening the male body portion into the female body portion, the improvement comprising notch means formed in at least one of said wing members for receiving the catheter after same exits from the end of said male body portion and to facilitate wrapping said catheter about said male housing portion in frictional contact therewith whereby to improve said retention force, wherein said notch means faces in the same direction that said male body portion is tightened. 
     
     
       2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein each of said notches opens toward said female body portion whereby the catheter exiting the end of said male body portion is reversed and then engaged in one of said notches and wrapped around said male body portion in a plane normal to the axis of said adapter to improve the catheter retention characteristics of said adapter. 
     
     
       3. An improvement in an adapter of the type having an axially bored female housing portion with an internally threaded section, a bored externally threaded male housing portion having a conically tapered inner bore, a bored generally conically shaped resilient grommet disposed against the conically tapered inner bore of the male housing portion and adapted to be squeezed against the outer surface of the end of a catheter inserted into the adapter as the male body portion is threadedly tightened into said female body portion to provide a retention force thereon, and wherein the male body portion is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite radially disposed finger-engageable wing members which serve as an aid in tightening the male body portion into the female body portion, the improvement comprising notch means formed in at least one of said wind members for receiving the catheter after same exits from the end of said male body potion and to facilitate wrapping said catheter about said male housing portion in frictional contact therewith whereby to improve said retention force, wherein said notch means comprises a notch formed in each of said wind members adjacent the outer surface of said male body portion. 
     
     
       4. An improvement in an adapter of the type having an axially bored female housing portion with an internally threaded section, a bored externally threaded male housing portion having a conically tapered inner bore, a bored generally conically shaped resilient grommet disposed against the conically tapered inner bore of the male housing portion and adapted to be squeezed against the outer surface of the end of a catheter inserted into the adapter as the male body portion is threadedly tightened into said female body portion to provide a retention force thereon, and wherein the male body portion is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite radially disposed finger-engageable wing members which serve as an aid in tightening the male body portion into the female body portion, the improvement comprising notch means formed in at least one of said wing members for receiving the catheter after same exits from the end of said male body portion and to facilitate wrapping said catheter about said male housing portion in frictional contact therewith whereby to improve said retention force, and a sponge-like retainer having an adapter-shaped cavity including a catheter exit-passage for disposal about said adapter to aid in insuring said frictional contact of said wrapped catheter with said male body portion.